Maoist leader Panda joined by another in hunger strike

Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who is on a hunger strike at the circle jail here for the third day today, has been joined by an undertrial allegedly involved in Maoist activities.
Dandapani Mohanty, convenor of Daman Pratirodh Manch, launched his hunger strike today, jail authorities said.
Panda as well as Mohanty have rejected food served to them despite repeated requests by the prison authorities, senior superintendent of the circle jail Raghunath Majhi said.
However, they were taking ORS and the jail doctor was conducting regular health check, he added.
Panda is protesting against his solitary confinement in the jail and alleged blocking of letters sent to the court from the prison. He is also demanding that he be provided with list of cases pending against him in different police stations, the authorities said.

Mohanty, who was arrested on February 8, 2013, is demanding the status of a political prisoner.
He had written to Governor S C Jamir and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urging them to provide him the status considering his past political activities spanning over 40 years.
Mohanty was lodged in R Udayagiri and Parlakhendi jails in Gajapati district before being shifted to circle jail here, they added.